Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join my colleague, Senator O'Loughlin, in calling for a debate on the World Meteorological Organization's annual report on the state of the climate. Yesterday evening, I had the opportunity to read elements of the report. In many ways, it does not tell us anything new other than clearly emphasising the seriousness of the threats we continue to face. It is important that in these Houses we are prepared to face up to some of the challenges and to talk about the serious impacts they have on our communities. Where I live, in a coastal community, one of the particular challenges we face is around flooding and coastal erosion. It is particularly important we look at what will be the long-term implications for insurance, housing and the other costs we all have.

I am proud to be part of a Government that is taking this issue seriously but, frankly, it is also important to start to call out parties and Independents who speak out of both sides of their mouths on the climate issue. We are either serious about tackling climate change, and taking some of the tough measures, or we are only paying lip service to it. That is why a full, frank and honest debate around those issues will be important.